Children with the same name

I should have added this in the Scottish naming patterns post.

If, for example, you have done a parent search on familysearch.org and found 2 children with the same given name, it usually means the first one has died and the next child born of the same sex is also given that name.

If the age of a child in a census is younger than you were expecting, this also may indicate it is a second child with the same name and you should look for another birth.

Ordering certificates from scotlandspeople

When you have found the record you were looking for you will usually see 2 options. View 5 credits or Order.

You don't need to order a certificate, just download it for 5 credits. The certificate won't give you any more information anti will cost you £12. The downloaded image at 5 credits is £1.50.

 You only need to get a certificate if you need it for legal purposes or if the other option is not available, eg a modern record a 1918 birth record. This is because it is too recent. There's a 100 year cut off for births. However if you can bear to wait till next January, you will be able to download it then!

Your other option is to visit one of the scotlandspeople hubs where for a day you can look up as many certificates as you like for £15.

The hubs are in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Kilmarnock and Inverness.

Register House in Edinburgh

The Mitchell Library in Glasgow

Burns Centre, Kilmarnock

Highland Archive and Registration Centre, Inverness
Hawick Heritage Hub
Clackmannanshire Family History Centre in Alloa

Always phone first to check computer availability and opening hours.